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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Verizon iPhone first hands-on! (update: video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/verizon-iphone-first-hands-on/

We just got a look at the Verizon version of the iPhone 4. Guess what? It's just like an iPhone 4! There's no custom pre-loaded Verizon software (like VCAST or some such bloatware), just that mobile hotspot tweak in the settings menu. There's also no Verizon branding on the phone, though that's hardly a surprise given Apple's hatred of all logos that aren't its own. The only real physical difference we can find are those tweaked CDMA-compatible antennas running around the edge -- four in all, placed symmetrically and bumping down the volume / mute buttons. Interestingly, the phone is running iOS version 4.2.5, so perhaps that mobile hotspot functionality will make its way over to other iPhones when they sync up on iOS updates. We did try a speed test, clearing the cache and loading various sites simultaneously on the Verizon phone and our AT&T device, and while there were variations in the load times, there were too many external factors to really make a judgment call just yet.

Gallery: Verizon iPhone 4 detailed comparison shots

Gallery: Verizon iPhone 4 full hands-on

Continue reading Verizon iPhone first hands-on! (update: video)

Verizon iPhone first hands-on! (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Velocity Micro Cruz Watch hands-on preview

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/velocity-micro-cruz-watch-hands-on-preview/

We've always liked the idea of having a Bluetooth watch streaming feeds from our phones, because deep down inside, we all want to act like special agents in the public. Sadly, there aren't many of these wearables to choose from in the present market. In fact, with the inPulse smartwatch for BlackBerry seemingly stuck in limbo, what we have left is the Europe-only Sony Ericsson LiveView for Android, and maybe something nice from Fossil as well if its concept design gets picked up. To seize this opportunity, Velocity Micro is now working on its own connected Android watch -- currently known as the Cruz Watch -- that's destined for the sub-$200 market in mid-Q2 2011.

Here's what we learned about this cool-looking prototype during our exclusive hands-on at CES: in many ways, it's conceptually identical to the LiveView -- it's a watch, it's a Facebook feeds reader, it's a multimedia remote control (for Android's music app and Android-powered TVs), and it can show you incoming caller IDs. While the Cruz Watch may be a bit of a lightweight when it comes to apps, its hardware certainly bests SE's offering in several ways: for starters, it has a full touchscreen that takes swipe and tap gesture inputs (instead of using navigation touch controls on the bezel), and it sports a 1.8-inch LCD instead of a 1.3-inch OLED display. There are also a few software features that we dig, especially with the interchangeable clock face: two analog, two digital; and the incoming call notifier pulls the caller's profile photo from your contact list, which is something that the LiveView can't do. We're told that since this watch is powered by Android 2.0 (and possibly something different on retail units), Velocity Micro might be able to implement app installation in the near future, so we shall see. Video walkthrough after the break.

Gallery: Velocity Micro Cruz Watch hands-on preview

Continue reading Velocity Micro Cruz Watch hands-on preview

Velocity Micro Cruz Watch hands-on preview originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feature-length film, The Trashmaster, made entirely in Grand Theft Auto IV

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/feature-length-film-the-trashmaster-made-entirely-in-grand-the/

If you're familiar with The Sims-style gaming, where actual life, art, and the game can easily blur, this little story may not come as a huge surprise to you. Grand Theft Auto IV player / enthusiast Mathieu Weschler spent two years making The Trashmaster, a feature-length 'film' made entirely in the game, about a garbage man who has another gig on the side. Now, we'll freely admit that we did not watch the entire thing (yet), but from what we have seen, it actually looks fairly engaging! The film is embedded after the break.

Continue reading Feature-length film, The Trashmaster, made entirely in Grand Theft Auto IV

Feature-length film, The Trashmaster, made entirely in Grand Theft Auto IV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rockstar, Joystiq | source

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Minimalist 3D Camera is All Smiles

Source: http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/01/11/minimalist-3d-camera-is-all-smiles/

If I came away with one one conclusion from this year’s CES, it’s 3D. For years companies have been talking about it but it seems 2011 is when it all comes to fruition and leading the initial wave are 3D cameras. The STEREOO concept gave us deja vu but this form factor and effervescent aesthetic is exactly what’ll get the general public excited about 3D. I love the minimalism and the humor of seeing a camera smiling back at you. The large display is capable of displaying 3D images and doubles as a touch interface. I want one now.

Designer: Designer: Michal Bonikowski from MINDSAILORS

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Searchmetrics Raises A $6.75 Million C-round To Expand Globally

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/11/searchmetrics-raises-a-6-75-million-c-round-to-expand-globally/

Searchmetrics, a Berlin-based company which works out where you should be spending your budget on SEO and analytics, has secured a growth / C-stage funding round of $6.75 million, led by Paris-based growth capital fund Iris Capital and current investors Holtzbrinck Digital and Neuhaus Partners in Germany.

Searchmetrics was founded in late 2007 and financed by Holtzbrinck Digital in a Seed round financing. In January 2010 Neuhaus Partners joined in a B-round.
The latest round brings the company's total funds raised to approximately $11 million. The funds will be used for its continued international expansion.

Google Wants To Find The Next Larry Or Sergey With Online Science Fair

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/11/google-wants-to-find-the-next-larry-or-sergey-with-online-science-fair/

Many of you may have gone through the rite of passage in grade school called the science fair. For any one who is interested in science and technology, the annual Science Fair is actually a fun (and educational) experience for young kids. Today, Google is launching a really interesting new venture today—an online science fair for young adults.

The Google Science Fair, which is in partnership with CERN, The LEGO Group, National Geographic and Scientific American, is open to students around the world who are between the ages of 13-18. Either individually or in teams of three, contestants can build and submit a project (via photos and videos), hypothesis, as well as written observations online using Google Sites. Click here for an example.

Prizes include a trip to the Galapagos Islands with a National Geographic Explorer, scholarships and real-life work opportunities (i.e., a 5-day trip to CERN in Switzerland). Google will post semi-finalist selections online (the public will be encouraged to vote for their favorite project), and 15 finalists will be invited to Google headquarters in mid-July to present their projects to a panel of judges, which will include Dean Kamen, Vint Cerf, Spencer Wells, Kary Mullis, Marion Nestle, and Peter Norvig.

Of course, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are living proof that the world’s best ideas can come from young students. And not only is the Science Fair is a great marketing tool for Google to connect with a younger demographic, but the search giant could also scout for potential talent as well.

CrunchBase Information

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Information provided by CrunchBase

Rrrewind is a Wayback Machine for Social Media [Webapp]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5729801/rrrewind-is-a-wayback-machine-for-social-media

Rrrewind is your ticket to social media's past, letting you browse the archives of the most popular items posted to sites like delicious, Reddit, YouTube, Hulu, and more.

Using Rrrewind is pretty simple. Upon visiting the site you'll be presented with the popular posts from yesterday, currently defaulting to delicious. You can switch between different sites via the lefthand menu, or visit the archives by clicking the link in the upper righthand corner. Currently Rrrewind's archives date back to June 29th, 2009 for delicious, but it varies depending on the site. If you're looking for old, popular social media, Rrrewind is a great place to find it.

Rrrewind | Thanks for the tip, Roberto!

The Noun Project: A Universal Language Based On Graphic Symbols [Design]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5730083/the-noun-project-a-universal-language-based-on-graphic-symbols

The Noun Project: A Universal Language Based On Graphic Symbols wants to create a comprehensive collection universal symbols/graphics for all the things we use and encounter in day to day life, calling it a visual language. They also want it to be freely available to all.

The project, started by Edward Boatman, launched the project on Kickstarter with a modest goal to raise $1500. So far, they've raised nearly $15,000, and they donations seem to keep rolling in. By making the content freely available, they hope their collection will become a universal standard.

The Noun Project

Right now, they have about 500 symbols. With the money they raise, they're gonna work on technology to make user uploaded designs possible, and existing content easier to find using cataloging and search features. They also plan to release symbols in packs/collections, and want to hold contests to create new symbols.

Each graphic is downloadable when you click on it, and comes to you in the scalable vector graphic (SVG) format. The graphics fall under Creative Commons guidelines, and you're free to do whatever you want with them. Sounds pretty neat. [The Noun Project via Kickstarter via The Atlantic]

Sony Ericsson names Xperia Arc CPU, dubs Android 2.4 appearance a 'misconfiguration'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/sony-ericsson-names-xperia-arc-cpu-dubs-android-2-4-appearance/

The Xperia Arc is one pretty slice of Gingerbread, don't you think? We certainly did when we got the chance to handle one for ourselves at CES, but today we're less concerned with its exterior and more interested in what lies beneath. The 1GHz processor we knew about already has been specified as a Qualcomm MSM8255 and will be joined in the good fight against sluggish performance by an Adreno 205 graphics chip. On the software front, that random sighting of an Arc with Android 2.4 has been put down as a simple "misconfiguration" by Sony Ericsson, exploding a million conspiracy theories around the web. One encouraging note here is that SE (kinda) acknowledges its inglorious record with Android updates and promises recent changes have put it in "a good position to make sure that Xperia Arc will get later versions in a timely manner." We'll believe it when you make it, Sony.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson names Xperia Arc CPU, dubs Android 2.4 appearance a 'misconfiguration'

Sony Ericsson names Xperia Arc CPU, dubs Android 2.4 appearance a 'misconfiguration' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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